The CSS Baltic was an iron and cottonclad sidewheeler ship built in 1860 in Philadelphia as a river tow boat belonging to the Southern Steamship Co. She was purchased by the State of Alabama, converted to an armored ram, and turned over to the Confederate States Navy in the middle of 1862. Her first commanding officer was Lieutenant James D. Johnston, CSN.

Throughout the American Civil War the Baltic operated in the Mobile Bay, Mobile, Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers. The Baltic was reported unfit for service in February 1863, with her sinking condition preventing her from joining the defense of Mobile Bay in June 1864. She was dismantled in July of 1864 and her armor transferred to CSS Nashville.

The Baltic was captured at Nanna Hubba Bluff, Tombigbee River, Alabama, on May 10, 1865, and sold to the U.S. Government on December 31, 1865.